The Real History Behind Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin spice is one of the first things people think of when fall comes around. It gives a comforting scent and tastes delicious, but do you know the history behind pumpkin spice?

As the leaves start to change color, pumpkin spice starts showing up on store shelves and in our coffee. The scent permeates the air, following you everywhere you go, thanks to the plethora of air fresheners and candles filled with the smell of pumpkin spice.

We associate other flavors and scents with fall, but pumpkin spice seems to lead the way. You don’t have to rely on artificial flavors or scents for it, since the history of it involves spices you likely already have on hand. If you don’t have the spices already, they aren’t hard to come by.

The History of Pumpkin Spice

Think of the spices you use for fall baking, and at least a couple that make pumpkin pie spice will come to mind. Pumpkin pie spice varies depending on where you get it but generally includes cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, mace, and allspice seasonings. Ironically, pumpkin has never been an ingredient in the spice.

In 1675, a British recipe called “pumpion pie” featured a blend similar to pumpkin spice. It included cloves, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

In 1796, Amelia Simmons’ cookbook was published and included recipes with “pompkin.” These recipes used spices you’ll find in pumpkin pie spice today, including ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Simmons also used mace in her recipe, although it isn’t in today’s pumpkin spice recipe.

Today’s Pumpkin Spice Recipe

As time went on, companies like Thompson & Taylor Spice Co and McCormick & Company began selling pre-mixed spices with all the necessary seasonings. These companies knew it would be easy to sell ready-to-use seasonings rather than convince consumers to purchase many different spices.

Eventually, in 1934, McCormick released the pumpkin spice seasoning we know today, with only four seasonings. In their final recipe, McCormick used nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. Marketing pumpkin spice food and drinks came later, resulting in the lattes and other delicious options we look forward to each fall.